The Conversation Podcast

No Time to Think?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Thanks to new technologies Americans are more productive every year. But our guest today says we're suffering from information overload. Where do you find the time to think? Is the sunny weather outside making you think about the importance of leisure in your life (or its absence)?

Plus, how much of memory loss is normal? We talk to Sue Halpern, author of a new book, Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Front Lines of Memory Research. Also today: the latest news about the link between breast cancer and Vitamin D deficiency; and how the new farm bill will affect Washington State.

Superintendent Maria Goodloe–Johnson

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Last week, Superintendent Maria Goodloe–Johnson announced her strategic plan for Seattle Public Schools. The plan would more than double the number of students meeting college–entrance requirements. The percentage of 10th–graders meeting science and math standards on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) would increase to 80% over the next five years. Superintendent Goodloe–Johnson is our guest today on The Conversation. We'll ask her how she intends to implement her strategic plan. We'll also take your questions.

Plus, we'll take a look at the education plans of the Presidential candidates. Is education going to be a major issue in this year's contest?

And, we're all looking forward to the warm weather this weekend. But it might not be the best time to head up into the mountains. All that snow, plus 80 degree temperatures, means a high risk of avalanches.

How Partisan Are You?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Ralph Nader is at the University of Washington today campaigning for President. We'll ask him what he brings to the race. Nader is running without a party affiliation this time around. For many Americans, voting outside their party is unthinkable. How partisan are you? Do you always vote with your party, no matter what? Or is a candidate's stand on the issues more important? Do you vote along party lines in some elections, but not others? Are you a knee–jerk Democrat (or Republican or Independent) because your parents were? Or did you become a Republican because your parents were Democrats? Call (206) 543–5869.

Plus, in today's episode of Beat the Press Northwest, we'll talk about the future of the Seattle Times Company; and news coverage of the disasters in China and Burma. What are the challenges? Is it possible to cover disasters without resorting to cliches?

Is a Candidate's Stage of Life Relevant?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

John McCain is in North Bend Washington today to talk about the environment. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee wants a mandatory limit on greenhouse gas emissions. He also thinks nuclear power may help get us there. We'll take a closer look at McCain's proposals. Also today, is a politician's stage of life relevant? Is McCain too old? Is Obama too young? Airline pilots have to retire at age 65. Should there be a mandatory retirement age for presidents? There already is a mandatory minimum age. You can't run for president if you're under 35. Is that right? Call (206) 543–5869. Plus, the President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Arjun Makhijani, explains how he thinks we can have an energy future that is carbon free without resorting to nuclear power. He'll explain.

Do You Donate Money?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

The news this morning described the earthquake in China's Sichuan province. Recent estimates bring the death toll to 8500. And in Burma, international aid organizations are still trying to help the thousands of people affected by Cyclone Nargis. Today on The Conversation, do you give money to causes far from home? How do you decide whether and where to donate money? UK government officials are asking its citizens to keep giving money for Burmese aid, even though the ruling junta is trying to keep most international aid out. Here in the US, food and gas prices are rising. Do you have the extra income to donate? Or do you feel giving time to a local organization is more useful?

Also today, reservoirs in Pierce and Lewis Counties are low. What does that mean for summer water supply? We'll find out.

The College Admissions Dance

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

This year's high school graduating class is the largest of the last 30 years. That means the college admissions dance has gotten even more complicated. Highly selective colleges like Harvard and Princeton are eliminating early admissions and digging further into waiting lists. That's causing ripples for college admissions across the country. If you're trying to get into college this year, how's this affecting you?

Also, Senators Obama and Clinton are one state south of us in Oregon today. They're stumping in preparation for the primaries on Tuesday. The Stranger's Eli Sanders is there too. We'll get a live update of what's happening. And, food prices are causing some local jails to re–visit the meals they serve inmates.

Can Failed States Be Fixed?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Forty to sixty countries are on the brink of implosion or already collapsed. Myanmar keeps out aid agencies while tens of thousands of corpses rot. Iraq teeters on the brink of civil war. Militias enact breathless cruelty on the people of the Congo.

Can anything be done to fix these failed states? We'll speak to former Afghan Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and the Director of the Institute for State Effectiveness, Clare Lockhart. They are the co–authors of new book, Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World. They'll explain why they're optimistic about the possibilities. Should the U.S. or the United Nations get involved with nation building? Call in.

Also today, American colleges are relying more and more on part time faculty. The president of the American Association of University Professors, Cary Nelson, calls it exploitative and professionally unjustified.

A New Jail For Seattle

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Last night the political pundits called Barack Obama's strong showing in the North Carolina and Indiana primaries decisive. "We know who the nominee is," intoned Tim Russert. What do you think of the election news coverage?

Also, to publish or not to publish? The managing editors for the Seattle Times and PI talk about their different decisions on running photos of suspected terrorists provided by the FBI. We learned this week the people in the photos were harmless European businessmen.

Also today, Seattle is looking at four sites for a new jail Haller Lake, Interbay, Highland Park, and near the reservoir in West Seattle. The United States has only five percent of the world's population, but nearly a quarter of all the prisoners. Why do we lock up so many people here compared to other countries? Is it keeping us safer?

Would You Like a Gas Tax Holiday?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

Hillary Clinton and John McCain agree: there should be a gas tax holiday this summer. The federal 18.4 cents a gallon tax should be suspended to help people feeling pinched by high gas prices. Barack Obama calls the gas tax holiday a gimmick. What do you think? Washington State schools have lost a 13 million dollar grant to improve advance placement courses in math and science. The reason? The grantors wanted to give merit pay directly to teachers. State law says pay has to be worked out with the teachers' union. The teachers union opposes merit pay. Also today, the FBI defends the decision to put out photos of two men on a Washington State ferry. Ferry officials thought the men were suspicious. Turns out they were innocent European businessmen.

Measles Outbreak and Vaccinations

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:05:00 PDT

There have been 64 cases of measles across the country, including 12 in Washington State. The Centers for Disease Control says that's more measles than in the past seven years. This is a remarkable turnaround. In 2000 the CDC said it had eliminated measles. Most of the cases are in children who were not vaccinated. Some parents fear possible side affects of vaccines. Do you get your kids vaccinated? Why or why not?

Also today, Ralph Nader's Vice Presidential running mate Matt Gonzalez. The former San Francisco Supervisor introduced instant runoff voting there four years ago. And US Housing and Urban Development is giving out money to provide housing to homeless veterans.